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Located north of the Baltic Sea and with most of its borders surrounded by sea to the north and west, Estonia is an interesting mix of the ultra-modern and firmly traditional, a northern Baltic land of primeval forests, rivers, and islands, with one of the smallest populations in the world. Most Estonians have opted for city life, leaving the countryside rather wild and filled with rare birds, plants and roaming deer, elk, wild boar, bears and wolves.
The low, largely flat landscape is also dotted with relics of Estonia's medieval glory, when the Teutonic knights reigned supreme and built castles which are now left as decaying hulks, testament to the wealth of traders who used the country's ports. The main port, Tallinn (still the capital city today), was part of the mighty Hanseatic League in the 13th century.
Its medieval prosperity has given the romantic city a wealth of attractions for modern-day tourists to explore. Historical and natural attractions are only one reason why Estonia is experiencing an upsurge in tourism. Access is another, as the country is ideally located between east and west Europe, and is easily reached from the south as well. All in all, it offers fresh and unspoilt opportunities for those who enjoy the Nordic experience.
Estonia, together with Latvia and Lithuania, became independent states (again) in 1991, after leaving the Soviet domination. Today the vibrant spirit of freedom and rebirth pervades the air. This is true of the capital, the lively university town of Tartu, the busy industrial centre of Narva and the idyllic summer vacation capital of Pärnu on the southwestern coast. However small towns and the countryside can still be seen very much stuck in time and where true traditions and ways of life prevail.
Come and see all this fascinating country by yourself and take back lots of good memories and experiences!
Getting to Estonia is convenient by air or sea. The national airline went bankrupt in 2015, Air Estonia, so reaching Estonia has been made accessible now by low cost airlines such as Ryanair. Other airlines fly there from most European cities and in particular many cities in Finland and Scandinavia. The main airport is located in Tallinn, the capital.
If you are travelling either from Sweden or Finland then a popular option is to travel by sea with frequent ferry services leaving many times a day. For more information check at Tallinn Ferry.
Travelling in the country is easy by public transport, most of the major towns are small enough to get around on foot but all main cities in Estonia have an established public transport system served by bus, trolleybus and tram.By rail, it's convenient to travel from Tallinn by train to Pärnu, Viljandi, Valga, Narva, Tapa and Tartu. Lastly travelling within Estonia is also popular by Bus, LuxExpress offers good prices when booked in advance and you can travel domestically or to international destinations.
The climate of Estonia is European continental with warm, dry summers and fairly severe winters. January is the coldest month with daytime temperatures usually around -5°C, but in some cases winter months can be quite colder with temperatures far below zero, about -15°C and strong, cold winds. Heavy snowfall is also quite common. The weather is often breezy and humid due to the proximity of the Baltic Sea.
In summer temperatures reach 20-25°C, but sometimes higher at, 30°C or more. July is the warmest month with an average Temperature of 22°C.
Generally, the best time to visit is April-September, when days are warm and the nights are cool, although it rains more in Spring than in summer. Autumn and Winter are usually a little chilly and wet, sometimes snowy and often foggy.
Estonian food can seem very fatty and starchy to some. There is influence from the Scandinavian cuisine and the use of fish and meat is very common in many dishes. However there is a wide range of international dishes available, especially in larger towns.
Specialities include: Sült (jellied veal). Täidetud vasikarind (roast stuffed shoulder of veal). Rosolje (vinaigrette with herring and beets). Braised goose stuffed with apples and plums. Verivorst (blood sausage).
Regional drinks include: Saku beer, Eesti Kali (local form of kvas, a Slavic fermented drink made from bread) Vana Tallinn (a local liqueur, favourite with the locals).
I can say it one of those countries I wouldn't mind going again to explore further. It's influence with neighbouring Finland is very noticeable, the country is the most developed out of the 3 Baltic states (Estonia , Latvia and Lithuania). Overall it gives an impression of being modern, but also you can notice a rustic feel and people being more conservative than in other countries. However what took me by surprise was it's old town! Being very interested in medieval history and castles, it was incredible to feel part of this city which, within its old town walls, really feels like you are living in the middle age times thanks to a very realistic exposition and galleries featuring the city's history and past.
